Rise Of Michael Jordan

Chapter 7

The last car rolled to a stop, and I watched as Mr. Lucien Delacroix stepped out. He moved with the kind of authority that made the ground feel smaller beneath him, flanked by both his daughters, his son, and even his grandchildren. Behind them, Mira followed, her posture precise, almost rehearsed.

Mia, standing beside me, whispered softly. “That’s Lucien Delacroix, Kael. His eldest daughter, Seraphine, is in charge of Delacroix Investments. His youngest, Celeste, manages their media branch. His son, Victor, oversees the logistics division. And these are his grandchildren—Adrian and Lila—they have roles in Delacroix Pharmaceuticals and Delacroix Real Estate respectively.”

I nodded slowly, taking in the lineage. Each person’s presence screamed power, wealth, and absolute control over their empire.

Mia continued, her voice low and precise. “Mira is in charge of Delacroix Security Agency. Pellington, the youngest of the family, is stuck with the cleaning department.”

I let that sink in. Even in the midst of such opulence, family hierarchy was ruthless. I nodded again, eyes sweeping across the compound, taking in the sprawling estates, the manicured lawns, the glimmering glass facades of the subsidiary buildings.

I had heard the stories. Lucien Delacroix, founder of this empire, one of the richest men in the city, and by all accounts, utterly heartless. Everything he did was for money. Human care, compassion, empathy—none of it existed in him. I hated men like that.

Mia’s voice brought me back. “I only pity Mira. The company is in trouble. If she can’t secure certification from the government and get the contract from Seraphina Voss’s company, the empire could be at risk.”

I frowned. “Why would Seraphina’s company try to snatch it from her?”

Mia’s eyes narrowed. “Seraphine’s husband—Julien Voss—he’s friends with her. They studied together in the States. If he steps in, Mira’s contract could easily be taken from her.”

I glanced at Mira, standing stiffly, her expression betraying more than a hint of worry.

Mia continued, almost regretfully. “She already has issues at home because of marrying Darren. If the company is taken from her, everything she’s fought for becomes impossible. She’s trapped, Kael… all because of that marriage.”

I absorbed it all, the threads of family, money, and control weaving into a web that Mira had no way of escaping. I watched Mia walking away from me.

Quietly, I moved behind the doors of the company, careful to remain unseen. From this vantage, I could hear their discussion, their voices crisp and deliberate.

I stayed there, silent, listening.

I pressed myself against the wall, listening intently as the voices carried through the thick double doors.

“When exactly is Mira going to get the contract from Voss?” a man’s voice asked, sharp, impatient. “You know the Voss Corporation is already pulling strings behind the scenes. And with Dr. Milton Carroway backing them, if he steps in, we lose our only chance to take Delacroix Security Agency global.”

Another voice, low but venomous, added, “We need to do something. If Mira isn’t capable, she should resign now. Save us all the trouble.”

The tension was thick enough to taste. I felt it press against my chest.

Mira’s voice cut through, sharp and furious. “Do you think I haven’t been working hard? Don’t you see how much effort I’ve put into this? I believe I’ll get it done—very soon!”

I could hear Lucien’s deep, impatient tone slice through the argument. “When? When will that occur?”

Mira hesitated, then said cautiously, “I’m not sure of the exact time… but I’ve heard that Kael—he’s close with Seraphina Voss. I believe he can get it done for me.”

A hush fell. Lucien’s voice, cold and precise, asked, “Who is Kael?”

Darren stepped forward quickly, tone respectful. “He’s my brother, sir.”

Lucien’s voice tightened. “The one who was sent to prison?”

Mira jumped in, firm. “Yes, but I’m planning to transfer him to Managing Director. He’s capable—he can handle it.”

A man’s voice hissed from across the room. “She can’t be serious. Who would accept a murderer into a company?”

Darren’s jaw tightened. “My younger brother is not a murderer.”

The man sneered, venom dripping. “Will Darren shut up? How dare he speak while we—”

Darren lowered his head. “Sorry.”

“Sorry?” the man spat, standing taller. “Is that all?” He moved toward Darren, slapping him sharply across the face. “Has Darren already forgotten his place in this family?” His words were sarcastic, mocking every inch of Darren’s composure.

Darren sank to one knee. “Sorry, sir.”

Something inside me snapped. I shoved off the wall and stormed toward the room, fury burning through every step. The doors swung open behind me with a loud crash. All eyes turned.

“Who the hell—” someone muttered, shocked.

I ignored them. My eyes locked on Julien, the man who had just slapped Darren. Every muscle tensed, my hands gripping his collar as I prepared to strike.

“Kael, stop!” Darren shouted, his voice cracking, his hands reaching toward me.

“Kael… please, stop!” Darren fell to his knees, begging, hands clutching at my arms. But the anger in me was a living thing, screaming.

My fist tightened in Julien’s collar, dragging him so close I could see the veins in his eyes bulging. His breath came ragged, short, almost choking as his fingers clawed desperately at my arm. He tapped weakly against my forearm, trying to signal surrender.

“Apologize,” I growled, my voice like steel cutting through the silence of the room.

Julien gasped, struggling, his face reddening, but my grip only tightened.

“Kael!” Darren’s voice trembled behind me, pleading, but I didn’t move an inch. My eyes stayed locked on the man who dared slap my brother.

“How dare you lay your filthy hands on him?!” I barked. “If you don’t want to end up dead tonight, then you apologize to my brother right now!”

The room fell into stunned silence. Then, Seraphine shot to her feet, her voice shrill with outrage.

“Father! Are you going to sit there and watch him kill my husband? Call the police! Stop him!”

But I ignored her. My hand didn’t budge. Julien’s lips parted in gasps, eyes watering, his body trembling as he fought for air.

All eyes turned toward Lucien Delacroix—the man who ruled them all. The patriarch sat silent, his face carved from stone, his eyes sharp as blades. Everyone waited for his command.

Finally, his voice thundered, cold and undeniable.

“Apologize.”

The word froze the room. Even I felt the weight of it.

Lucien leaned forward slightly, his gaze never leaving Julien.

“Julien, apologize to Darren. Right now.”

Gasps rippled through the gathering. Shock was painted on every face. Even Seraphine’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Father! How could you?” she shouted. “How could you humiliate my husband like this—apologizing to Darren of all people?”

Julien’s pride fought hard, but the fear in his eyes was greater. His voice cracked, hoarse from my grip.

“I… I’m sorry.”

I tilted my head, pressing him harder against my arm.

“I couldn’t hear you properly.”

The embarrassment on his face was unbearable for him, but survival forced his tongue.

“I’m sorry, Darren,” Julien repeated, clearer this time, his voice breaking.

Only then did I release him. He crumpled onto the floor like discarded trash, coughing violently, his hands clutching his throat. Seraphine rushed to him immediately, her words dripping venom.

“Kael—you’ll regret this! I swear you’ll pay!”

I ignored her. Straightening my shirt, I turned to Lucien and gave a small bow.

“My apologies for interrupting your meeting. I’ll make my exit.”

Lucien’s gaze burned into me.

“You. You’re the one bearing the name Kael?”

I lifted my head, meeting his stare without flinching, and nodded.

“Yes, sir.”

Lucien leaned back, the faintest of smirks tugging at his lips.

“I like you already. Confidence. Boldness. Qualities too rare in this family.”

His words made the others stir uneasily, but he didn’t care.

“I’ve heard talk of you being promoted to Managing Director. Is that true?”

My eyes flicked to Darren. He looked at me, uncertain, but nodded slightly. I clenched my jaw.

Lucien’s eyes narrowed. “Tell me… is it true you can help this company secure the contract from Voss?”

For a moment, I almost told the truth—that I’d only met Seraphina today, that I didn’t know her enough to wield such influence. But then my gaze shifted to Mira, standing silent under the crushing weight of her family’s scorn. I saw Darren too, beaten down, humiliated, never valued because of his poor background.

If this was the way to give him worth in their eyes… then I would make it happen.

I straightened, my voice firm and cutting.

“Yes. I’ll get the contract.”

The room erupted in murmurs of shock. Even Mira’s eyes widened in disbelief. Darren’s voice trembled.

“Kael…?”

I raised a hand, silencing him.

“But—” I said slowly, letting the word hang in the air. “—it will be under one condition.”

Lucien’s eyes sharpened, intrigued.

“And what is that condition?”

I stepped forward, my tone calm but commanding.

“Promote Darren to Managing Director. I will only serve as his assistant.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Faces twisted in confusion and outrage, Seraphine’s mouth falling open in disbelief, Julien coughing on the floor, still too weak to speak.

But my eyes never left Lucien. This was no request. It was a demand.

Lucien’s eyes pinned me where I stood, sharp as a blade, testing me. His voice was calm, but it carried the weight of command.

“So that is what you want? If I grant Darren the seat of Managing Director… you will get the contract for this company?”

I straightened my back, not flinching.

“Yes. You can count on me for that.”

For a long moment, Lucien simply stared. His fingers tapped slowly against the polished table, each knock echoing in the tense silence. Then, with a roll of his hand on the surface, he spoke with finality.

“Sure. As you wish. Darren will be promoted.”

The words were law. Everyone in the room stiffened in shock.

Lucien stood, his chair groaning back, and like obedient shadows his children followed his rise. They began filing out, but as the patriarch reached the door, he paused. His head turned slightly toward me.

“Kael,” he said, his deep voice carrying like a decree. “I have a birthday coming up soon. I want you to attend.”

No request. A command.

And then he was gone, his entourage trailing behind. Darren and Mira bowed their heads respectfully as he passed.

When Seraphine reached me, she leaned close, her face dark with fury.

“You will regret this. You will regret humiliating me and my husband today.”

I met her glare without blinking.

“I’ll be waiting.”

Her eyes flared before she stormed off.

The door hadn’t even fully closed before Darren pinched my arm sharply.

“Kael! Why the hell did you do that? Do you even know who Julien is?”

I turned to him, my tone steady.

“I don’t care who the hell he is. He’s not in any position to hurt my brother. Remember this, Darren—I’ll never forgive anyone who lays a hand on you.”

Darren froze, his lips pressed tight, his eyes shifting away.

Mira stepped closer, her face clouded with worry.

“About the contract… do you really believe this could work out?”

I sighed, adjusting my jacket.

“We’ll have to see.”

Darren looked ready to argue again, but my phone beeped, a sharp reminder. My eyes flicked to the screen. The time. The meeting with the president.

“I have somewhere I need to be,” I said quickly. “I’ll see you both soon.”

Before they could protest further, I walked out of the room, my steps firm, making my way out of the office .

Soon, I stood in front of Aurelius Lounge, the legendary restaurant tucked in the heart of the city. Its golden bell gleamed by the door. I reached up and rang it once.

The chime carried inside, and an old man lifted his head from behind the counter. His eyes warmed with recognition.

“Welcome,”

I stepped in, the air rich with history. The Lounge was exactly as I remembered—timeless.

Taking a table near the corner, I settled down. Without asking, the old man brought me a cup of steaming tea.

I frowned.

“I haven’t made a reservation yet.”

The man smiled knowingly.

“This is how we treat our customers.”

I blinked, the memory rushing back. Aurelius Lounge… it had been standing since the ancient days of the city, one of the oldest and most respected places. I remembered when I was young and broke—I used to sneak in here for free tea. When the menu came, I’d run off before I had to pay.

Nothing had changed. Their warmth was still the same.

I bowed my head slightly.

“Thank you.”

Lifting the cup, I sipped.

The burn hit instantly. A scorching fire spread down my throat. I clutched at my neck, the cup slipping from my hand and shattering on the floor. My voice rasped, broken.

“What… what did you… do to me?”

The old man’s lips twisted into a smile, then a laugh—dark, sharp, cutting into the silence.

Pain tore through me. My knees buckled. In rage, I grabbed the man by his collar, dragging him close even as my strength faltered.

“You…” I growled through the fire burning my chest.

But the pain was too much. My grip slipped. My body gave way.

And then I collapsed onto the floor.

Darkness swallowed me whole.